It's Saturday morning and I'm feeling very relaxed indeed. Though waking up at 4:30am is far too early, I found comfort in brewing a pot of coffee, unearthing some of the Italian grammar books I've been ignoring since my return from Sicily and reading while huddled in the corner of my couch. I'm wrapped in my favorite brown sweater, that never fails to take the edge off the cold I always feel. Report cards have been signed, sealed and delivered. I've only three days worth of scant morning lesson plans to write for next week which immediately relieves the work pressure I can experience most weekends.

I love seeing the first signs of sunrise. Coming downstairs and crossing to the windows, I tug at the shade pulls and smile as they reveal the sun that rushes in through the windowpanes. Nighttime can be a breeding ground for small concerns to explode into overgrown fears. The light of day gives way to clarity of thought and helps sort out that which has weighed heavy during the evening hours.

Luna comes over and nudges me with her nose. The old girl wants to go out, so I throw on my jacket, slip on my loafers and walk her down the porch steps to my back yard.
She's still sleek though she hasn't raced in years. Some days, she seems to be nothing more than long legs that support her massive grayhound chest. As she walks along, she shifts her lowered head from side to side. Hounds' heads are different from other dogs' in that theirs are no wider than their necks. As her neck and head merge into one elongated canine metronone, she takes on the movement of a Komodo Dragon, but remains her docile self. All she wants of me is company right now, and though I'd rather be inside with coffee, books and music, I walk with her through what remains of my garden. The hydrangeas are devoid of their blue hues, the hosta leaves seem to have melted overnight and my beloved bee balm appears skeletal and unfriendly. While I enjoy autumn, winter is on its way, and I grimace at the thought.

When we finally come back inside, I see that it's finally time to take my morning meds. Today I reduce my dilantin level by 25mgs and increase my Keppra dosage by 125. I fill up the pill case for this coming week and as I do so, realize that I've much to be thankful for.

I've often said that my family and my friends are my joy. Whether in times of darkness or light, they are always there. The thought of harm coming to any of them, even though irrational, can fill me me with a paralyzing dread. The realization that they are well makes me grateful beyond words. They are what gives form to my life and I am so blessed to have them.

Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving filled with love of family and friends......

Anna